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Rhys Bowen

Mystery Author Rhys Bowen is a transplanted Brit who now divides her time between California and Arizona. She currently writes two mystery series, the Molly Murphy novels, about an Irish immigrant in 1900s New York City and the lighter Royal Spyness mysteries about a penniless minor royal in 1930s Britain. Her books made bestseller lists, garnered many awards, nominations, and starred reviews.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical

New and upcoming books

March 2024

In Sunshine or in Shadow
(Molly Murphy, book 20)

August 2024

The Rose Arbor

November 2024

We Three Queens
(Royal Spyness, book 18)

March 2025

Silent as the Grave
(Molly Murphy, book 21)

Series

Constable Evan Evans
   1. Evans Above (1997)
   2. Evan Help Us (1998)
   3. Evanly Choirs (1999)
   4. Evan and Elle (2000)
   5. Evan Can Wait (2001)
   6. Evans to Betsy (2002)
   7. Evan Only Knows (2003)
   8. Evan's Gate (2004)
   9. Evan Blessed (2005)
   10. Evanly Bodies (2006)

Molly Murphy
   0.5. The Amersham Rubies (2011)
   1. Murphy's Law (2001)
   2. Death Of Riley (2002)
   3. For the Love of Mike (2003)
   4. In Like Flynn (2005)
   5. Oh Danny Boy (2006)
   6. In Dublin's Fair City (2007)
   7. Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (2008)
   8. In a Gilded Cage (2009)
   9. The Last Illusion (2010)
   10. Bless the Bride (2011)
   11. Hush Now, Don't You Cry (2012)
   11.5. The Face in the Mirror (2013)
   12. The Family Way (2013)
   12.5. Through the Window (2014)
   13. City of Darkness and Light (2014)
   14. The Edge of Dreams (2015)
   15. Away in a Manger (2015)
   16. Time of Fog and Fire (2016)
   17. The Ghost of Christmas Past (2017)
   18. Wild Irish Rose (2022) (with Clare Broyles)
   19. All That Is Hidden (2023) (with Clare Broyles)
   20. In Sunshine or in Shadow (2024) (with Clare Broyles)
   21. Silent as the Grave (2025) (with Clare Broyles)

Royal Spyness
   1. Her Royal Spyness (2007)
   2. A Royal Pain (2008)
   3. Royal Flush (2009)
   4. Royal Blood (2010)
   5. Naughty In Nice (2011)
   5.5. Masked Ball at Broxley Manor (2012)
   6. The Twelve Clues of Christmas (2012)
   7. Heirs and Graces (2013)
   8. Queen of Hearts (2014)
   9. Malice at the Palace (2015)
   10. Crowned and Dangerous (2016)
   11. On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service (2017)
   12. Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (2018)
   13. Love and Death Among the Cheetahs (2019)
   14. The Last Mrs. Summers (2020)
   15. God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen (2021)
   16. Peril in Paris (2022)
   17. The Proof of the Pudding (2023)
   18. We Three Queens (2024)

Rhys Bowen WW Collection
   1. In Farleigh Field (2017)
   2. The Tuscan Child (2018)
   3. The Victory Garden (2019)

Novels

   Dreamwalker (2014) (with CM Broyles)
   Above the Bay of Angels (2020)
   The Venice Sketchbook (2021)
   Where the Sky Begins (2022)
   The Paris Assignment (2023)
   The Rose Arbor (2024)

Collections

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight (2020) (with others)

Novellas and Short Stories

What Child Is This (2018)

Rhys Bowen recommends

Enchanted Hill (2023)
Emily Bain Murphy
"Set amid the opulence and corruption of a thinly disguised Hearst's San Simeon during the Golden Age of Hollywood, this compelling story takes the reader on a breathtaking ride of redemption and revenge."

The Traitor Beside Her (2023)
Mary Anna Evans
"A fascinating and intelligent WWII home front story."

The Long March Home (2023)
Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee
"Such real characters."

Murder in Postscript (2023)
(Lady of Letters Mystery, book 1)
Mary Winters
"Move over, Bridgerton! This delightful Regency-style romp features a spunky agony aunt and an intriguing gentleman."

The Socialite's Guide to Murder (2022)
(Pinnacle Hotel Mystery, book 1)
S K Golden
"It's as if Eloise is all grown up and a sassy, savvy sleuth at the Plaza hotel! Hotel owner's daughter Evie Murphy is smart and daring in this delightful Golden Age mystery."

The Fire and the Ore (2022)
Olivia Hawker
"Based on real family history, this is the heartrending story of the trials endured by Mormon converts as they made their way across the American wilderness to their promised land and of the triumph of sisterhood over adversity. A must read for fans of Western history."

Where the Wandering Ends (2022)
Yvette Manessis Corporon
"Set on the romantic island of Corfu, Where the Wandering Ends is a powerful, emotional tale of recent history, showing the disruption of lives during the Greek civil war."

Miss Aldridge Regrets (2022)
(Canary Club Mystery, book 1)
Louise Hare
"Fiendishly plotted with more twists than a corkscrew, this nineteen thirties novel set on board the Queen Mary is a real page turner."

Front Page Murder (2022)
(Homefront News Mystery, book 1)
Joyce St Anthony
"Well written, well researched and with a great sense of time and place, this book gives a different slant to WWII."

Death in a Blackout (2022)
(WPC Billie Harkness Mystery, book 1)
Jessica Ellicott
"A fresh and different take on WW2 stories as an appealing young heroine finds herself investigating petty crimes and divided loyalties in the midst of the Blitz. Shades of Foyles War."

All That Is Secret (2021)
(Annalee Spain Mystery, book 1)
Patricia Raybon
"In Professor Annalee Spain, Patricia Raybon has created a real, rounded, and very human character. Not only a good mystery, but a realistic insight into the African American experience in the nineteen twenties."

When We Meet Again (2021)
Caroline Beecham
"A compelling story of a determined young woman and her quest for justice set against the fascinating world of publishing--and even a zoo--during World War II."

These Tangled Vines (2021)
Julianne MacLean
"This heartwarming story of love and loss, longing and betrayal set amid the vines of Tuscany is the perfect escape in troubled times."

Glamour Girls (2021)
Marty Wingate
"Glamour Girls feels so real it's like reading a personal diary of the brave women who were unsung heroes of WWII. Marty Wingate has managed to get the feel for wartime Britain spot on. Well done!"

Olive Bright, Pigeoneer (2020)
(Olive Bright, book 1)
Stephanie Graves
"Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is the perfect escape read for troubled times. The classic village mystery with its quirky cast of characters, including pigeons, plus the heightened danger of WWII."

Premeditated Myrtle (2020)
(Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery, book 1)
Elizabeth C Bunce
"In the tradition of heroines like Flavia de Luce and Harriet the Spy, Myrtle is a fine example of the Victorian scientific female--smart, inquisitive and fearless. Written with a terrific mixture of humor and suspense, Premeditated Myrtle is a perfect read for any budding detective."

The Diabolical Bones (2020)
(Bronte Sisters Mystery, book 2)
Bella Ellis
"The Bronte sisters as sleuths-what a delicious idea!"

Death at High Tide (2020)
(Island Sisters Mystery, book 1)
Hannah Dennison
"A blend of all my favorite things: the Scilly Isles...the joys and trials of sisterhood, fun characters and of course Hannah Dennison’s witty prose. If you love Doc Martin, this is for you! A complete delight."

The Lost Girls of Devon (2020)
Barbara O'Neal
"The Lost Girls of Devon draws us into the lives of four generations of women as they come to terms with their relationships and a mysterious tragedy that brings them together. Written in exquisite prose with the added bonus of the small Devon village as a setting, Barbara O’Neal’s book will ensnare the reader from the first page, taking us on an emotional journey of love, loss, and betrayal."

Three Hours in Paris (2020)
(Kate Rees WWII, book 1)
Cara Black
"Breathtaking! I found it hard to breathe from the first page. A worthy successor to The Day of the Jackal and Six Days of the Condor, but with the addition of a real and likable heroine. This thriller takes Cara Black to a whole new level."

Buried to the Brim (2020)
(Hat Shop Mystery, book 6)
Jenn McKinlay
"Fancy hats and British aristocrats make this my sort of delicious cozy read."

Lady Takes the Case (2019)
(Manor Cat Mystery, book 1)
Eliza Casey
"Fans of Downton Abbey will be delighted in the setting, the smart and likable aristocratic heroine, her plucky American maid and the stowaway cat."

Invitation to Die (2019)
(Inspector Redfyre Mystery, book 2)
Barbara Cleverly
"I feel as if Dorothy L. Sayers has been brought back to life!."

The Long Flight Home (2019)
Alan Hlad
"Tense, heartwarming and life affirming, The Long Flight Home gives a fresh slant on heroism in WWII."

When We Left Cuba (2019)
(Cuba Saga, book 2)
Chanel Cleeton
"Powerful, emotional and oh so real. One woman's fight to reclaim her own country, against all odds and no matter what the cost is intertwined with the real history of our lifetime and creates an unforgettable story."

What the Wind Knows (2019)
Amy Harmon
"I don’t often find a book I can’t put down, but I devoured What the Wind Knows. It’s magical, atmospheric, and compelling, a book that will haunt you for a long time."

A Moment in Crime (2018)
(Santa Fe Revival Mystery, book 2)
Amanda Allen
"Delightful (and) appealing."

City of Secrets (2018)
(Counterfeit Lady, book 2)
Victoria Thompson
"[A] new, compelling and very different heroine."

Ask Me No Questions (2018)
(Lady Dunbridge Mystery, book 1)
Shelley Noble
"Told with wit and humor...a spirited and spunky addition to the ranks of aristocratic women sleuths of the early 20th century."

A Gentleman's Murder (2018)
(Eric Peterkin, book 1)
Christopher Huang
"Dorothy Sayers is alive and well and writing under the name of Christopher Huang. A Gentleman's Murder echoes the traditional mysteries in the best sense: no car chases or explosions, just great characters and a feel for time and place."

A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder (2018)
(Countess of Harleigh Mystery, book 1)
Dianne Freeman
"A delightful tale of shenanigans among the British aristocracy. Lady Frances feels very real—not too smart and spunky but no shrinking violet either."

The Betel Nut Tree Mystery (2018)
(Su Lin, book 2)
Ovidia Yu
"Charming and fascinating with great authentic feel. This book is exactly why I love historical novels."

The Reluctant Fortune-Teller (2018)
Keziah Frost
"Delightful. Norbert Z is warm and real and we rejoice in his growth throughout the story. This is a real comfort read in an uncertain world."

Murder in Belgravia (2018)
(Mayfair 100, book 1)
Lynn Brittney
"A delightful ensemble cast of sleuths with their complex relationships make this a compelling read. Even though the setting is London s fashionable West End, we are constantly reminded that WWI is never far away and that London s poshest neighborhoods are not far from its seedy underbelly."

The Darkling Bride (2018)
(Gallagher Family, book 1)
Laura Andersen
"Deliciously gothic and yet peopled with real and complex characters, The Darkling Bride grabbed my attention (and my heartstrings) on page one and wouldn’t let go."

As Bright as Heaven (2018)
Susan Meissner
"It is strange that a book with death as its theme should be so life-affirming and uplifting. Told from multiple points of view in gorgeously rich prose, this is a story that will haunt the reader long after it is finished."

The Woman in the Camphor Trunk (2017)
(Anna Blanc Mystery, book 2)
Jennifer Kincheloe
"Jennifer Kincheloe brings turn-of-the-century Los Angeles vividly to life in this novel featuring a police matron turned detective. Anna is delightfully fearless, independent, and a woman way ahead of her time. Her sparring love-hate relationship with the young police detective brings lighter moments to a tense drama involving LA’s Chinatown."

A Bitter Rain (2017)
James D Shipman
"Harrowing, intense, and oh so real, this story plunges the reader into the nightmare world of Nazi Germany where good and decent people struggle to survive."

Murder in Mayfair (2017)
(Atlas Catesby Mystery, book 1)
D M Quincy
"I've always been a fan of the Regency novel and enjoyed this delicious tale of scandal and villainy in Georgian England."

Murder between the Lines (2017)
(Kitty Weeks Mystery, book 2)
Radha Vatsal
"A delightful spunky heroine defines convention in this engaging historical mystery."

Delivering the Truth (2016)
(Quaker Midwife Mystery, book 1)
Edith Maxwell
"Rose Carroll is a richly crafted and appealing sleuth. A terrific historical read."

Oliver Twisted (2016)
(Ivy Meadows Mystery, book 3)
Cindy Brown
"It is not easy to combine humor and murder, but Cindy Brown does it effortlessly."

A Curious Beginning (2015)
(Veronica Speedwell Mystery, book 1)
Deanna Raybourn
"A treat. One of the few writers who can make history feel immediate and exciting without losing a grasp of the period."

Homicidal Holidays (2014)
(Chesapeake Crimes)
Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman and Marcia Talley
"Have fun with this whole year of holiday stories. I certainly did!"

This Private Plot (2014)
(Oliver Swithin Mystery, book 3)
Alan Beechey
"...delicious dialogue, ridiculously eccentric English characters: utter heaven and worth the long wait."

Evil for Evil (2009)
(Billy Boyle World War II Mystery, book 4)
James R Benn
"A triple dose of excitement with a murder mystery within a spy thriller within a World War Two adventure story. . . A 'rattling good read'."

How NOT to Survive the Holidays (2009)
(Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology, book 1)
Deborah J Ledford
"Stuff your stocking with this string of holiday sparkles, ranging from the chilling to the decidedly wacky."

The War Against Miss Winter (2007)
(Rosie Winter Mystery, book 1)
Kathryn Miller Haines
"Haines perfectly captures the feel, sights, and sounds of New York in the 1940s. Her Rosie... is fiesty, mouthy, and a lot of fun."

Shadow Play (2004)
(Laura Winslow, book 6)
David Cole
"Every bit as good as Hillerman, Laura Winslow is a tough lady PI with a distinctly soft center."

More recommendations

Books containing stories by Rhys Bowen

Shattering Glass (2020)
A Nasty Woman Press Anthology
edited by
Heather Graham

Private Investigations (2020)
Writers on the Secrets, Riddles, and Wonders in Their Lives
edited by
Victoria Zackheim

For the Sake of the Game (2018)
Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon
edited by
Laurie R King and Leslie S Klinger

More books

Awards

	2001 Agatha Award for Best Novel : Murphy's Law
	2002 Agatha Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Death Of Riley
	2004 Macavity Award for Best Novel (nominee) : For the Love of Mike
	2005 Edgar Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Evan's Gate
	2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Her Royal Spyness
	2007 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Oh Danny Boy
	2008 Agatha Award for Best Novel (nominee) : A Royal Pain
	2008 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : Her Royal Spyness
	2009 Agatha Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Royal Flush
	2012 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel : Naughty In Nice
	2012 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (nominee) : The Twelve Clues of Christmas
	2013 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (nominee) : Heirs and Graces
	2014 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel : Queen of Hearts
	2015 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (nominee) : Malice at the Palace
	2017 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel : In Farleigh Field
	2018 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (nominee) : Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding
	2018 Edgar Award for Best Paperback original (nominee) : In Farleigh Field
	2019 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel (nominee) : Love and Death Among the Cheetahs
	2020 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel : The Last Mrs. Summers
	2022 Edgar Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Venice Sketchbook

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